Altermagnetism defies conventional classifications of collinear magnetic phases, standing apart from ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism with its unique combination of spin-dependent symmetries, net-zero magnetization, and anomalous Hall transport. Although altermagnetic states have been realized experimentally, their integration into functional devices has been hindered by the structural rigidity and poor tunability of existing materials. First, through cobalt intercalation of the superconducting 2H-NbSe$_2$ polymorph, we induce and stabilize a robust altermagnetic phase and using both theory and experiment, we directly observe the lifting of Kramers degeneracy. Then, using ultrafast laser pulses, we demonstrate how the low temperature phase of this system can be quenched, realizing the first example of an optical altermagnetic switch. While shedding light on overlooked aspects of altermagnetism, our findings open pathways to spin-based technologies and lay a foundation for advancing the emerging field of altertronics.

The prospect of merging the paradigms of geometric frustration on a triangular lattice and bond anisotropies in the strong spin-orbit coupling limit holds tremendous promise in the ongoing hunt for exotic quantum materials. Here we identify a new candidate system to realize such physics, the organic quantum antiferromagnet (CD$_3$ND$_3$)$_2$NaRuCl$_6$. We report a combination of thermodynamic, magneto-elastic and neutron scattering experiments on single-crystals to determine the phase diagram in axial magnetic fields $\mathbf{H \parallel c}$ and propose a minimal model Hamiltonian. (CD$_3$ND$_3$)$_2$NaRuCl$_6$ displays an ideal triangular arrangement of Ru$^{3+}$ ions adopting the spin-orbital entangled $j_{\rm eff} = 1/2$ state. It hosts residual magnetic order below $T_{\rm N} = 0.23$ K and a highly unusual $H-T$ phase diagram including three different incommensurate states. Spin-waves in the high-field polarized regime are well described by a Heisenberg-like triangular lattice Hamiltonian with a potential sub-leading bond dependent anisotropy term. We discuss possible candidate magnetic structures in the various observed phases and propose two mechanisms that could explain the field-dependent incommensurability, requiring either a small ferromagnetic Kitaev term or a tiny magneto-elastic $J-J'$ isosceles distortion driven by pseudospin-lattice coupling. We argue that the multi-$\mathbf{q}$ ground state in zero magnetic field is a prime candidate for hosting the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ vortex crystal proposed on the triangular Heisenberg-Kitaev model. (CD$_3$ND$_3$)$_2$NaRuCl$_6$ is the first member in an extended family of quantum triangular lattice magnets, providing a new playground to study the interplay of geometric frustration and spin-orbit effects.

In the path towards a muon collider with center of mass energy of 10 TeV or more, a stage at 3 TeV emerges as an appealing option. Reviewing the physics potential of such muon collider is the main purpose of this document. In order to outline the progression of the physics performances across the stages, a few sensitivity projections for higher energy are also presented. There are many opportunities for probing new physics at a 3 TeV muon collider. Some of them are in common with the extensively documented physics case of the CLIC 3 TeV energy stage, and include measuring the Higgs trilinear coupling and testing the possible composite nature of the Higgs boson and of the top quark at the 20 TeV scale. Other opportunities are unique of a 3 TeV muon collider, and stem from the fact that muons are collided rather than electrons. This is exemplified by studying the potential to explore the microscopic origin of the current $g$-2 and $B$-physics anomalies, which are both related with muons.

The response of a position-sensitive Li-glass scintillator detector to $\alpha$-particles from a collimated $^{241}$Am source scanned across the face of the detector has been measured. Scintillation light was read out by an 8 X 8 pixel multi-anode photomultiplier and the signal amplitude for each pixel has been recorded for every position on a scan. The pixel signal is strongly dependent on position and in general several pixels will register a signal (a hit) above a given threshold. The effect of this threshold on hit multiplicity is studied, with a view to optimize the single-hit efficiency of the detector.

Population-based metaheuristic algorithms are powerful tools in the design of neutron scattering instruments and the use of these types of algorithms for this purpose is becoming more and more commonplace. Today there exists a wide range of algorithms to choose from when designing an instrument and it is not always initially clear which may provide the best performance. Furthermore, due to the nature of these types of algorithms, the final solution found for a specific design scenario cannot always be guaranteed to be the global optimum. Therefore, to explore the potential benefits and differences between the varieties of these algorithms available, when applied to such design scenarios, we have carried out a detailed study of some commonly used algorithms. For this purpose, we have developed a new general optimization software package which combines a number of common metaheuristic algorithms within a single user interface and is designed specifically with neutronic calculations in mind. The algorithms included in the software are implementations of Particle-Swarm Optimization (PSO), Differential Evolution (DE), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), and a Genetic Algorithm (GA). The software has been used to optimize the design of several problems in neutron optics and shielding, coupled with Monte-Carlo simulations, in order to evaluate the performance of the various algorithms. Generally, the performance of the algorithms depended on the specific scenarios, however it was found that DE provided the best average solutions in all scenarios investigated in this work.

The T-REX neutron spectrometer at the European Spallation Source will use Multi-Grid Technology, which is a voxelised proportional counter relying on\mathrm{^{10}B_{4}C} coatings to detect the scattered neutrons. Measurements of the position dependence of pulse-height and relative detection efficiency of a Multi-Grid prototype of the T-REX spectrometer are presented for two different schemes of signal-processing electronics based on the VMM3A ASIC and CREMAT technology. These measurements, intended to test the suitability of VMM3A for readout of the T-REX Multi-Grid, are compared with Monte Carlo simulations based on the Garfield++ and Geant4 tool kits.

Establishing a deep underground physics laboratory to study, amongst others, double beta decay, geoneutrinos, reactor neutrinos and dark matter has been discussed for more than a decade within the austral African physicists' community. PAUL, the Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory, is an initiative foreseeing an open international laboratory devoted to the development of competitive science in the austral region. It has the advantage that the location, the Huguenot tunnel, exists already and the geology and the environment of the site is appropriate for an experimental facility. The paper describes the PAUL initiative, presents the physics prospects and discusses the capacity for building the future experimental facility.

Self-diffusion coefficients, $D^*$, are routinely estimated from molecular dynamics simulations by fitting a linear model to the observed mean-squared displacements (MSDs) of mobile species. MSDs derived from simulation exhibit statistical noise that causes uncertainty in the resulting estimate of $D^*$. An optimal scheme for estimating $D^*$ minimises this uncertainty, i.e., it will have high statistical efficiency, and also gives an accurate estimate of the uncertainty itself. We present a scheme for estimating $\D$ from a single simulation trajectory with high statistical efficiency and accurately estimating the uncertainty in the predicted value. The statistical distribution of MSDs observable from a given simulation is modelled as a multivariate normal distribution using an analytical covariance matrix for an equivalent system of freely diffusing particles, which we parameterise from the available simulation data. We use Bayesian regression to sample the distribution of linear models that are compatible with this multivariate normal distribution, to obtain a statistically efficient estimate of $D^*$ and an accurate estimate of the associated statistical uncertainty.

Brightness is a critical metric for optimizing the design of neutron sources and beamlines, yet there is no direct way to calculate brightness within most Monte Carlo packages used for neutron source simulation. In this paper, we present Brightify, an open-source Python-based tool designed to calculate brightness from Monte Carlo Particle List (MCPL) files, which can be extracted from several Monte Carlo simulation packages. Brightify provides an efficient computational approach to calculate brightness for any particle type and energy spectrum recorded in the MCPL file. It enables localized, directionally-resolved brightness evaluations by scanning across both spatial and angular domains, facilitating the identification of positions and directions corresponding to maximum brightness. This functionality is particularly valuable for identifying brightness hotspots and helping fine-tune the design of neutron sources for optimal performance. We validate Brightify against standard methods, such as surface current tally and point estimator tally, and demonstrate its accuracy and adaptability, particularly in high-resolution analyses. By overcoming the limitations of traditional methods, Brightify streamlines neutron source re-optimization, reduces computational burden, and accelerates source development workflows. The full code is available on the Brightify GitHub repository.

The kagome lattice stands as a rich platform for hosting a wide array of correlated quantum phenomena, ranging from charge density waves and superconductivity to electron nematicity and loop current states. Direct detection of loop currents in kagome systems has remained a formidable challenge due to their intricate spatial arrangements and the weak magnetic field signatures they produce. This has left their existence and underlying mechanisms a topic of intense debate. In this work, we uncover a hallmark reconcilable with loop currents: spin handedness-selective signals that surpass conventional dichroic, spin, and spin-dichroic responses. We observe this phenomenon in the kagome metal CsTi$_3$Bi$_5$ and we call it the anomalous spin-optical helical effect. This effect arises from the coupling of light' s helicity with spin-orbital electron correlations, providing a groundbreaking method to visualize loop currents in quantum materials. Our discovery not only enriches the debate surrounding loop currents but also paves the way for new strategies to exploit the electronic phases of quantum materials via light-matter interaction.

High-intensity neutron beams, such as those available at the European Spallation Source (ESS), provide new opportunities for fundamental discoveries. Here we discuss a novel Ramsey neutron-beam experiment to search for ultralight axion dark matter through its coupling to neutron spins, which would cause the neutron spins to rotate about the velocity of the neutrons relative to the dark matter halo. We estimate that experiments at the HIBEAM beamline at the ESS can improve the sensitivity to the axion-neutron coupling compared to the current best laboratory limits by up to $2-3$ orders of magnitude over the axion mass range $10^{-22} \, \textrm{eV} - 10^{-16}$ eV.

Supersymmetry is an algebraic property of a quantum Hamiltonian that, by giving every boson a fermionic superpartner and vice versa, may underpin physics beyond the Standard Model. Fractional bosonic and fermionic quasiparticles are familiar in condensed matter, as in the spin and charge excitations of the $t$-$J$ model describing electron dynamics in one-dimensional materials, but this type of symmetry is almost unknown. However, the triplet excitations of a quantum spin ladder in an applied magnetic field provide a supersymmetric analogue of the $t$-$J$ chain. Here we perform neutron spectroscopy on the spin-ladder compounds (C$_5$D$_{12}$N)$_2$CuBr$_4$ and (C$_5$D$_{12}$N)$_2$CuCl$_4$ over a range of applied fields and temperatures, and apply matrix-product-state methods to the ladder and equivalent chain models. From the momentum-resolved dynamics of a single charge-like excitation in a bath of fractional spins, we find essential differences in thermal broadening between the supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric sectors. The persistence of a strict zone-centre pole at all temperatures constitutes an observable consequence of supersymmetry that marks the beginning of supersymmetric studies in experimental condensed matter.

Multiband superconductivity arises when multiple electronic bands contribute to the formation of the superconducting state, allowing distinct pairing interactions and gap structures. Here, we present field- and temperature-dependent data on the vortex lattice structure in 2$H$-NbSe$_2$ as a contribution to the ongoing debate on the nature of the superconductivity in this material. The field-dependent data clearly show that there are two distinct superconducting bands, and the contribution of one of them to the vortex lattice signal is completely suppressed for magnetic fields above $\sim$ 0.8 T, well below $B\mathrm{_{c2}}$. By combining the temperature and field scans, we can deduce that there is a moderate degree of interband coupling. From the observed temperature dependences, we find that at low field and zero temperature, the two gaps in temperature units are 13.1 $\pm$ 0.2 and 6.5 $\pm$ 0.3 K ($\Delta_{0}$ = 1.88 and 0.94 $k\mathrm{_{B}} T\mathrm{_{c}}$); the band with the larger gap gives just under two-thirds of the superfluid density. The penetration depth extrapolated to zero field and zero temperature is 160 $\pm$ 2 nm.

The Gaseous Electron Multiplier-based Time Projection Chamber (GEM-TPC) in TWIN configuration for particle tracking has been consolidated after extensive investigations in different facilities to study its tracking performance. The most attractive feature of this detector is its ultra-low material budget, which is 0.28\% X/X$_0$ and can be further reduced by decreasing the thickness of the gas traversed by the incident particles. Thus, it provides excellent position reconstruction and reduced multi-scattering. This detector consists of two GEM-TPCs with drift fields in opposite directions, achieved by rotating one 180 degrees in the middle plane with respect to the other. These two GEM-TPCs share the same gas volume, i.e., inside a single vessel. This configuration is called a TWIN configuration. The results presented in this work were measured using the newly integrated VMM3a/SRS readout electronics, an important milestone in improving overall performance and capabilities. In 2024, this detector was tested at the H4 beamline of the SPS at CERN, using muons and pions and with different gas mixtures like, for instance: Ar/CO$_2$ (70/30 \%), He/CO$_2$ (70/30 \%) and He/CO$_2$ (90/10 \%). The helium-based mixtures were used to commission the detector to track low momenta muons required in the PSI muon-induced X-ray emission (MIXE) experiment. The results obtained from these measurements, a brief discussion of the methodology used for the data analysis, and a comparison of the spatial resolution for different gas mixtures will be presented.

Integrating the ATLAS/BNL VMM3a ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) into the RD51/SRS (Scalable Readout System) provides a self-triggered continuous readout system for various gaseous detectors. Since the system allows flexible parameters, such as switching the polarity, adjusting electronics gain or different peaking times, the settings can be adjusted for a wide range of detectors. The system allows particles to be recorded with a MHz interaction rate in energy, space, and time. The system will be introduced in the beginning, and short examples will be given for different applications. After, the Twin GEM TPC will be discussed in more detail to show the benefits of such a trigger-less system in combination with the Twin configuration. Last, a few results for the tracking performance and the possibility to operate as a tracking telescope will be shown. Thus, this presents the possibility of an extremely low material budget tracking system suitable for tracking from high to low-energy particle beams.

We examine the well-posedness of inverse eigenstrain problems for residual stress analysis from the perspective of the non-uniqueness of solutions, structure of the corresponding null space and associated orthogonal range-null decompositions. Through this process we highlight the existence of a trivial solution to all inverse eigenstrain problems, with all other solutions differing from this trivial version by an unobservable null component. From one perspective, this implies that no new information can be gained though eigenstrain analysis, however we also highlight the utility of the eigenstrain framework for enforcing equilibrium while estimating residual stress from incomplete experimental data. Two examples based on measured experimental data are given; one axisymmetric system involving ancient Roman medical tools, and one more-general system involving an additively manufactured Inconel sample. We conclude by drawing a link between eigenstrain and reconstruction formulas related to strain tomography based on the Longitudinal Ray Transform (LRT). Through this link, we establish a potential means for tomographic reconstruction of residual stress from LRT measurements.

The garnet compound Yb$_3$Ga$_5$O$_{12}$ is a fascinating material that is considered highly suitable for low-temperature refrigeration, via the magnetocaloric effect, in addition to enabling the exploration of quantum states with long-range dipolar interactions. It has previously been theorized that the magnetocaloric effect can be enhanced, in Yb$_3$Ga$_5$O$_{12}$ , via magnetic soft mode excitations which in the hyperkagome structure would be derived from an emergent magnetic structure formed from nanosized 10-spin loops. We study the magnetic field dependence of bands of magnetic soft mode excitations in the effective spin $S = 1/2$ hyperkagome compound Yb$_3$Ga$_5$O$_{12}$ using single crystal inelastic neutron scattering. We probe the magnetically short ranged ordered state, in which we determine magnetic nanoscale structures coexisting with a fluctuating state, and the magnetically saturated state. We determine that Yb$_3$Ga$_5$O$_{12}$ can be described as a quantum dipolar magnet with perturbative weak near-neighbor and inter-hyperkagome exchange interaction. The magnetic excitations, under the application of a magnetic field, reveal highly robust soft modes with distinctive signatures of the quantum nature of the Yb3+ spins. Our results enhance our understanding of soft modes in topological frustrated magnets that drive both the unusual physics of quantum dipolar systems and future refrigerant material design.

Observations of molecular lines are a key tool to determine the main physical properties of prestellar cores. However, not all the information is retained in the observational process or easily interpretable, especially when a larger number of physical properties and spectral features are involved. We present a methodology to link the information in the synthetic spectra with the actual information in the simulated models (i.e., their physical properties), in particular, to determine where the information resides in the spectra. We employ a 1D gravitational collapse model with advanced thermochemistry, from which we generate synthetic spectra. We then use neural network emulations and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), a machine learning technique, to connect the models' properties to the specific spectral features. Thanks to interpretable machine learning, we find several correlations between synthetic lines and some of the key model parameters, such as the cosmic-ray ionization radial profile, the central density, or the abundance of various species, suggesting that most of the information is retained in the observational process. Our procedure can be generalized to similar scenarios to quantify the amount of information lost in the real observations. We also point out the limitations for future applicability.

Neutron and x-ray scattering experiments traditionally rely upon histogrammed data sets, which are analysed using least-squares curve fitting of multiple probability distribution components to quantify separately the various scientific contributions of interest. The main advantage to these methods is the relative ease of deployment due to their intuitive nature. Despite great popularity, these methods have known drawbacks, which can cause systematic errors and biases in some common scenarios in this field. Improvements over the base methods include dynamic optimisation of histogram bin width and the application of modern numerical optimisation methods that have greater stability, but, whilst reduced, the systematic effects carried by this stack nonetheless remain. In this study, we demonstrate analysis of neutron scattering event data using neither any numerical integration or histogramming steps, nor least squares fitting. The benefits of the new methodology are revealed: more accurate parameter values, orders of magnitude greater efficiency (i.e. fewer data points required for the same parameter accuracy) and a reduced impact of inherent systematic error. The main drawbacks are a less intuitive analysis method and an increase in computation time.

Correlation functions, such as static and dynamic structure factors, offer a versatile approach to analyzing atomic-scale structure and dynamics. By having access to the full dynamics from atomistic simulations, they serve as valuable tools for understanding material behavior. Experimentally, material properties are commonly probed through scattering measurements, which also provide access to static and dynamic structure factors. However, it is not trivial to decode these due to complex interactions between atomic motion and the probe. Atomistic simulations can help bridge this gap, allowing for detailed understanding of the underlying dynamics. In this paper, we illustrate how correlation functions provide structural and dynamical insights from simulation and showcase the strong agreement with experiment. To compute the correlation functions, we have updated the Python package dynasor with a new interface and, importantly, added support for weighting the computed quantities with form factors or cross sections, facilitating direct comparison with probe-specific structure factors. Additionally, we have incorporated the spectral energy density method, which offers an alternative view of the dispersion for crystalline systems, as well as functionality to project atomic dynamics onto phonon modes, enabling detailed analysis of specific phonon modes from atomistic simulation. We illustrate the capabilities of dynasor with diverse examples, ranging from liquid Ni3Al to perovskites, and compare computed results with X-ray, electron and neutron scattering experiments. This highlights how computed correlation functions can not only agree well with experimental observations, but also provide deeper insight into the atomic-scale structure and dynamics of a material.